One of the upsides to Netflix is that you can take a flyer on a movie without worrying that you’ve wasted anything besides a little time.  Last year, for reasons only known to it, the Netflix recommendation engine popped up a Korean movie called Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter … and Spring.  I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised (but beware, though, that it isn’t for kids). 

Somehow, one thing led to another, and I ended up watching a number of Asian movies; some from Taiwan, but mostly South Korean.  If nothing else it’s a great diversion from the standard Hollywood mess.  Eventually, I ended up with Oldboy (which I can’t describe easily), and I suppose that it (along with a few horror titles) landed me a recommendation for Spider Forest. 

This movie is decidely non-linear and I couldn’t help but think of Mullholland Drive after I’d finished it.  I’m still not sure whether it was good or not, as the whole thing was rather confusing.  I think one of the IMDB commenters summed it up best: “I’m sure that i’ll praise this movie AFTER i understand it..”

Anyhow, should you be looking for something different, consider looking into some of the Asian movies on Netflix.  Provided, of course, that you don’t mind reading subtitles*.

* Please don’t tell me if you’re one of those heathens who likes dubbed movies.    There’s nothing that ruins the emotion of the original more than dubbing.  Just for comparison one day I tried watching the same scene from Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des loups) with dubbing and then again with subtitles.  The entire tenor of the scene changed (for the worse) with the dub.